Excavating machine



Nov. 22, 1955 J. E. LUCAS 2,724,196

EXCAVATING MACHINE Filed June 6. 1949 6 Sheets-Sheet l INVEN TOR.

J. E. LUCAS EXCAVATING MACHINE Nov. 22, 1955 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed June 6. 1949 Nov. 22, 1955 J. E. LUCAS EXCAVATING MACHINE 6 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed June 6. 1949 IIIIHIIIIHIIHHIIIIIIHIIHI[IIIHIll 6 T m W Cw 2 Nov. 22, 1955 J. E. LUCAS 2, 24,

EXCAVATING MACHINE Filed June 6. 1949 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR.

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EXCAVATING MACHINE Filed June 6. 1949 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 gfase'p' 1 06.4.5 BY inflame/yam flfforney Nov. 22, 1955 J. E. LUCAS EXCAVATING MACHINE 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 Filed June 6. 1949 l lllsl United States Patent 2,724,196 EXCAVATING MACHINE Joseph E. Lucas, Seattle, Wash, assignor of one-tenth to William Edward Harm Application runes, 1949, Serial No. 97,445 12 Claims; c1. 37-490 and the like.

The main objects of this invention are: to provide an improved machine for digging or removing dirt; to provide a machine which will remove or dig dirt at a lower cost per cubicyard than machines at present in use; to provide a machine having an earth digging capacity equal to or greater than the usual type of earth digging machine weighing many times as much; to provide an earth digging machine in which the reaction of the digging force is applied to and taken by a fulcrum support located closely adjacent to the digging means; to provide an earth digging machine or mechanism which will dig the earth and move it to a stacker or tailings pile more economically than heretofore; to provide a machine particularly adapted for use in mining operations in which the dug material is processed on the machine itself; to provide. an earth digging mechanism in which the digging means may be either a dipper bucket, a rotary digger, or other suitable earth diggingmeans; to provide an earth digging mechanism This invention relates to a machine for excavating dirt of this character in which the fulcrum support which takes the digging reaction is mobile and powered so a's'to sweep back and forth across the face of a cut, or move forward to take a fresh cut across the face, as desired by the operator; and to provide an earth digging machine of this character in which the digging mechanism may operate to dig below level or above level of the general level of the grade being worked upon.

Illustrative embodiments of this invention are shown in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a view in side elevation of one form of the improved digging mechanism equipped with a conventional form of dipper stick bucket, and having a side discharge tailings stacker;

Fig. 2 is a view in elevation of the same taken in the direction indicated by the arrow 2 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a top plan view of the machine and mechanismillustrated in Figs. 1 and 2;

Fig. 4 is a view in front elevation of the digging end of the machine;

Fig.5 is an enlarged horizontal sectional view taken on the line 5-5 of Fig. 4 showing the mobile fulcrum support for taking the digging reaction;

Fig. 6 is a top plan view of a modified form showing a material processing mechanism incorporated into the machine, and with the tailings stacker extending in a direction opposite to the digging mechanism from the main base structure;

I .Fig. 7 is a view in side elevation of the machine illustrated in Fig. 6;

. .Fig. 8 is an enlarged fragmentary view in side elevation of a rotary digger applied to the machine illustrated in Figs. 1 to 7, inclusive;

2,724,196 Patented Nov. 22, 1955 of the same taken on support including a base plate 18 which is pivotally mounted on a vertical axis 18a to a pair of laterally spaced crawler treads 20. The crawler treads 20 are individually powered by electric motors housed within the crawler frame 22 so that the machine may be moved inany desired direction by equal or differential applicationof power to the crawler treads, as is customary in. crawler mechanisms of thischaracter.

The base structure 12 is provided with a horizontally extending rigidly mounted boom 24 having its outer end pivotally mounted on a vertical axis24a to a crawler frame 26. The crawler frame 26 is provided with crawler treads 28 and 3%) which, as shown in Fig. 5, are individually powered by electric motor and gear reduction units generally designated 32 and 34, respectively, thus providing a mobile support which serves as a fulcrum for taking the digging reaction of the machine.

The outer end of the boom 24 which rests upon the mobile fulcrum support is provided with an upwardly extending and forwardly inclined A-frame or bow gantry generallydesignated 36. The-apex of the gantry 36 is provided with suitable sheaves 38 for falls or lines 40 connected to an earth digging mechanism of the dipper stick bucket type generally designated 42 The crawler frame 26 is disposed below and adjacent the end of the boom 24 at a point between the base 12 and the digging mechanism and thereby serves as a fulcrum for said boom and receives the downward reaction of the digging mechanism. An operators cab and control room 44 is also mounted at the side of the gantry frame 36 in position so that the opertaor can observe and control the digging close to the earth being dug.

Means are provided for receiving the earth excavated by the bucket 42, and comprise a tilting hopper 46 pivoted at 48 and movable from a position immediately under the bucket 42 when withdrawn to dump position as shown in Fig. 1 to the position shown in full lines in Fig. 4, where the material from the hopper 46 is discharged into a fixed hopper 50 from which it is discharged by gravity by a material feeder 52 to an endless belt conveyor 54 mounted on an inclined frame generally designated 56. The conveyor 54 and frame 56 extend rearwardly and upwardly to discharge into a hopper 58 mounted on suitable framework on the base structure 12, and from which the material is fed to a side delivery stacking conveyor generally designated 60. The conveyor 60, as shown in Fig. 2, is inclined upwardly, and its outer end preferably rests upon a mobile support generally designated 62. The support 62 is provided with laterally spaced, individually powered crawler treads so that it may be moved at the will of the operator as the machine is moved forward in its digging operation.

'The stacking conveyor 60 discharges into a hopper 64 which is located above and discharges onto a pivoted stacker 66. The stacker 66 preferably has a range of horizontal movement approximately 200 (Fig. 3) so as 3 to distribute the material received from the stacking conveyor 60.

The stacking conveyor 60 is pivoted at 70 (Fig. 2) for swinging movement in a vertical plane, and is pivoted on a vertical axis at 72 on the base structure 12 so that the stacking conveyor 60 may be extended from the base structure 12 in substantially any direction sidewardly or rearwardly of the base structure 12.

In the construction shown in Fig. 8, the forward end of the boom 24 is provided with a rotary digger generally designated 76 having a plurality of buckets 78 mounted around the periphery thereof, and is supported 'by' a frame 80 pivoted at 82 so that it may be raised or lowered by a line 84 in the usual manner of rotary diggers of this character. Wings 86' embrace opposite sides of the rotary digger 76 so that earth discharged from the buckets 78 is guided onto the conveyor 54. V

In the construction shown in Figs. 6 and 7, the base structure 88 not only serves as a powerhouse for the machine, but also encloses a material processing plant which may include a trammel screen 90. The tailings stacker in this machine, generally designated 92, has one end pivoted at 94 for movement in a vertical plane, and extends directly opposite to the boom 24 so as to serve as a counterbalance to some extent, although it will be understood that the stacker from this material processing plant may also be pivoted to swing through a horizontal range in the same manner as the stacking'conveyor60. It will also be understood that although the machine shown in Figs. 6 and 7 is equipped with a dipper stick digging bucket 42, it may otherwise be equipped with a rotary digger as illustrated in Fig. 8, or other suitable earth digging mechanism.

In the construction shown in Figs. and 11' of the drawings, the boom 24 has its outer end provided with an upwardly extending, forwardly inclined A-brace or bow gantry 36, between the laterally spaced legs of which is extended the endless belt conveyor 96 which is pivoted to the base structure at 98 at one end, and has its other end provided with a rotary digger 100. The outer end "of the conveyor frame 96 is provided with a bail 102 to which suitable lines or falls 104 are connected which pass over the sheaves 106 journaled at the apex of the gantry frame so that the rotary digger and conveyor frame 96 as a unit may be raised from a position below grade, as shown in full lines Fig. 10, to a position high above grade, limited only by the height of the space between the side. legs of the gantry 36.

"In the machine illustrated in Figs. 10 and 11, the outer end of the boom 24 is supported on a mobile ful-. crum unit 2611 of the same character as that shown in 7 detail in Fig. 5, so that it may be moved back and forth across the cut or turned at right angles and moved toward or 'away from the cut, or any combination of these movements, as desired. V

In the operation of this machine in all its forms, the digging reaction is transmitted through the gantry to the outer end of the boom 24, which is supported upon the mobile fulcrum comprising the treads 28 and 30, and frame 26, which is pivoted on a vertical axis to the outer end of the boom. The treads 28 and 30 being individually and independently powered, this mobile fulcrumunit may be used to move the outer end of the boom 24 in an are back and forth across the face of the cut, with a slightforward movement on each sweep, if desired, thereby dragging the base structure forward as a trailer on its-crawler units, or the fulcrum unit may be turned at right angles. to the position shown in full lines in the various viewsof the drawings, and by applying: power in the same direction to both of the crawler treads at the same time, the unit will move the entire machine forward toward the face of the cut, or in the Opposite direction, as desired. Preferably power is applied to the tread supports 20 of the base structure 12 so that the machine as a whole maybe more readily moved forward or backward toward or away from the face of is supported on a level, firm floor, previously prepared by the digging element itself, as the machine'is advanced in normal use, so that the construction of special road beds or the laying of rails for enabling the machine. to be moved, is unnecessary."

Although'several embodiments of this invention have been herein shown and described, it'will be understood that numerous details of the constructions shown may be altered or omitted without departing from the spirit of this invention, as defined by thefollowing claims.

I claim:

1. An excavating machine, comprising: a base structure; a mobile support beneath said base structure; a rigid boom having an inner end fixedly mounted on said base structure; a frame mounted upon the outer end of said boom; an earth digging mechanism supportedat least in part by said frame in'longitudinal alignment with said boom; means for raising and lowering said digging mech anism relative to said boom; and a mobile support for said outer end of said boom disposed below said boom at a point between said base and said digging mechanism, whereby said last-mentioned mobile support serves as a fulcrum for said boom and receives the downward reaction of said digging mechanism, .said mobile supports being arranged in the same horizontal plane below and generally parallel with said rigid boom, whereby said mobile sup-- ports may progressively advance said boom and digging mechanism for making successive cuts.

2. An excavating machine comprising; a base struc-' ture; a mobile support beneath said base structure; a boom having one end thereof rigidly fixed to saidbase structure; an earth diggingmechanism means rigidwith the opposite end of said boom supporting at least inpart said digging mechanism in longitudinal alignment with said boom; a mobile support for said opposite end of said boom; a conveyor disposed substantially parallel with said boom and adapted to receive material dug by said earth digging mechanism, said last mentionedmobile -s up port being disposed below said boom at a point, between said base and said. digging mechanism, whereby said mobile support serves as a fulcrum for said boomand receives the downward reaction of said digging mechanism, said mobile supports being arranged in the same horizontal plane below and generally parallel with said rigid boom, whereby said mobile supports may progressively advance said boom and digging mechanism for making successive cuts. 7

. 3. An excavating machine, comprising: a base structure; a mobile support beneath said base structure; a boom having one end thereof rigidly fixed to said base structure: an earth digging mechanism at the opposite end of said boom; means rigid with said opposite end of said boom supporting. at least in part said digging mechanism in longitudinal alignment with said boom; a mobile support for said opposite end of said boom; a conveyor disposed substantially parallel with said boom and adapted to receive material dug by said earth digging mechanism; 7

and a stacker conveyor having oneend thereof mounted on said base structure in a position to receive material discharged from said first-mentioned conveyor, said last mentioned mobile support being disposed below said boom at a point between said base and said digging mechanism, whereby saidrnobile support serves as a fulcrum for said boom and receives the downward reae tion of said digging mechanism, said mobile supports being arranged in the same horizontal plane below and generally parallel with said rigid boom, whereby said mobile supports may progressively advance said boom and digging mechanism for making successive cuts.

4. Excavating apparatus, comprising: a base structure; a mobile support beneath said base structure; a rigid boom having one end thereof fixedly connected to said base structure; a mobile support for the opposite end of said boom;

an earth digging mechanism at said opposite end of said boom; means rigid with said opposite end of said boom supporting at least in part said digging mechanism in longitudinal alignment with. said boom; a conveyor on said boom for receiving the dug material; a stacker conveyor having one end mounted on said base structure positioned to receive material from said first-mentionedconveyor; a mobile support for the opposite end of said stacker conveyor, said mobile support for said boom being disposed below said boom at a point adjacent said earth digging mechanism, whereby said last-mentioned mobile support serves as a fulcrum for said boom and receives the downward reaction of said digging mechanism, the mobile supports below said base and boom being arranged in the same horizontal plane generally parallel with said boom and all three mobile supports rendering the excavating apparatus bodily movable.

5. An excavating and processing machine, comprising: a base structure; a mobile support beneath said base structure; a rigid boom having one end thereof fixedly connected to said base structure; a mobile support for the opposite end of said boom; an earth digging mechanism at said opposite end of said boom; means rigid with said opposite end of said boom supporting at least in part said digging mechanism in longitudinal alignment with said boom; a conveyor on said boom for receiving the dug material; a material processing mechanism mounted on said base structure for receiving material from said conveyor; and a stacker conveyor having one end mounted on said base structure for receiving material from said processing mechanism, said mobile support for said boom being disposed below said boom at a point adjacent said earth digging mechanism, whereby said last mentioned mobile support serves as a fulcrum for said boom and receives the downward reaction of said digging mechanism, said mobile supports being arranged in the same horizontal plane below and generally parallel with said rigid boom whereby said mobile supports may progressively advance said boom and digging mechanism for making successive cuts.

6. An excavating machine,,comprising: a base structube; a first mobile support beneath said base structure; a

boom having an inner endfixedly mounted on said base structure; a second mobile support for the outer end of said boom; an endless conveyor; a conveyor frame disposed above said boom supporting said endless conveyor and having one end thereof pivoted on said base structure and its opposite end extending beyond said outer end of said boom; an earth digging mechanism mounted on said opposite end of said conveyor frame; and means including elements on said boom for raising and lowering said opposite end of said conveyor frame relative to said boom for raising and lowering said earth digging mechanism, said second mobile support being disposed below said boom at a point between said base and said digging mechanism, whereby said second mobile support serves as a fulcrum for said boom and receives the downward reaction of said digging mechanism, said mobile supports being arranged in the same horizontal plane below and generally parallel with said rigid boom, whereby said mobile supports may progresisvely advance said boom and digging mechanism for making succesisve cuts.

7. An excavating machine as defined in claim 6, in which the digging mechanism includes a rotary digger element.

8. An excavating machine, comprising: a base struc ture; a mobile support beneath said base structure; a boom having an inner end fixedly mounted on said base structure; a mobile support for the outer end of said boom; an endless conveyor; a conveyor frame disposed above said boom supporting said endless conveyor and having one end thereof pivoted on said base structure and its opposite end extending beyond said outer end of said boom; an earth digging mechanism mounted on said Opposite end of said conveyor frame; and means including a gantry frame on said boom for raising and lowering said opposite end of said conveyor frame relative to said boom and for raising and lowering said earth digging mechanism, said mobile support for said boom being disposed below said boom at a point between said base and said digging mechanism, whereby said last mentioned mobile support serves as a fulcmm for said boom and receives the downward reaction of said digging mechanism, said mobile supports being arranged in the same horizontal plane below and generally parallel with said rigid boom, whereby said mobile supports may progressively advance said boom and digging mechanism for making successive cuts.

9. An excavating machine, comprising: a base structure; a mobile support beneath said base structure; a rigid boom having an inner end fixedly mounted on said base structure; a gantry frame mounted upon theouter end of said boom; an earth digging mechanism mounted upon said frame including a dip bucket and an operators control room for controlling the operation of said dip bucket; a mobile support for said outer end of said boom disposed below said boom at a point between saidbase structure and said digging mechanism, whereby said last mentioned mobile support serves as a fulcrum for said boom and receives the downward reaction of said digging'mechanism, said mobile supports being arranged in the same horizontal plane below and generally parallel with said rigid boom, whereby said mobile supports may progressively advance said boom and digging mechanism for making successive cuts.

10. An excavating machine, comprising: a base structure; a mobile support beneath said base structure; a rigid boom having an inner end fixedly mounted on said base structure; an earth digging mechanism mounted on the outer end of said boom including a frame, means pivotally mounting said frame on said boom and a rotary digger on said frame; a mobile support for said outer end of said boom disposed below said boom at a point between said base and said digging mechanism, whereby said last mentioned mobile support serves as a fulcrum for said boom and receives the downward reaction of said digging mechanism, said mobile supports being arranged in the same horizontal plane below and generally parallel with said rigid boom, whereby said mobile supports may progressively advance said boom and digging mechanism for making successive cuts.

11. An excavating machine comprising: a rigid boom structure; an earth digging mechanism at one end of said boom structure; means rigid with said one end of said boom structure supporting at least in part said digging mechanism in longitudinal alignment with said boom structure; a first mobile support adjacent and below the opposite end of said boom structure supporting said opposite end of said boom structure; a second mobile support below said boom structure adjacent said one end of said boom structure and located at a point between said first mobile support and said digging mechanism, whereby the second mobile support serves as a fulcrum for said boom structure and receives the downward reaction of said digging mechanism, said mobile supports being arranged in the same horizontal plane below and generally parallel with said boom structure, whereby said mobile supports may progressively advance said boom structure and digging mechanism for making successive cuts.

12. An excavating machine as defined in claim 11, wherein means is interposed between the base structure and its mobile support to provide for pivotal movement of the base structure about both a vertical and a horizontal axis, and means is interposed between the boom and the I nam cim inihe me of this patent QUNIIEDIQSTATESA PATENTS Harrington u. .b Feb. 9, 1943 8 Mullins "Apr. 3'0, 1946 .Graham Ian. 20, 1948 V FOREIGN PATENTS France Mays, 1929 1 Germany L; Feb. 4, 1927 Germany Mar. 4, 1930 Germany Ian. 24; 1933 Germany Feb. 24, 1934 

